I used to have a gulf coast.. Good boat... Not the fastest, not the shallowest but did everything very well. If you are wanting to do deeper water, I would consider the Trans XLR8. Shallow, fast, smooth and actually has some sides unlike the Varisides. JMO

 

How shallow is the XLR8. I know the gulf coast runs shallow (not RFL). I had a 23' tunnel with a 225 Yamaha, it would surprise you. Isn't the XLR8 more like the Extreme?

 

I used to have a Gulf Coast 20 lowside, it was a nice rig. I figure the 23 will ride better and be almost as shallow draft as the 20.

 

You would think so ... got a friend with the 23 VS while I had an 18ft classic (which I assumed would get shallower because it was lighter right? Wrong.) The greater bottom hull area of the 23 gives it more buoyancy and as a result shallower draft ... it's almost like driving an empty streamlined barge ... :biggrin: ... we fish the same water and I know from seeing this ... but we have also taken his 23 out to the rigs and stayed reasonably dry ... can't tell you anything about the XLR8 ...

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I have a 23 vs and love it. a foot is plenty of water for it. I go offshore aswell shallow lakes. it does everything I want it to do. handles great.

 

23 Variside

I have the 23 Variside. Like everyone has said, it does EVERYTHING well.

However - the only complaints I have are:

1. Rides a little rough in chop but trim tabs help a lot
2. Back end will take on water when trying to anchor in rough water or the surf and if you drift in choppy water.

BUT - it is as dry riding boat as you will ever find. 45+ with 250 Sho and storage galore.

Hands down the best boat I've ever owned and I've owned an SCB and Southshore......among others

 

Thanks for the reviews and comments. About what Ive heard as well from other owners of the variside. BAMF, I was curious about tabs on this boat. Seems they would help a lot with the deep vee.

 

It's not a deep 'V' more shallow than that and yes tabs would help just as they would help most of the tabless boats on the water ... my 18ft'r had tabs and it helped a lot not so much to level as it was a small boat and arranging the stuff on deck worked better but getting on plane in shallow water always happened a lot quicker (< 2 boat lengths) and crossing snotty bays was more comfortable and dry ...

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I used to own a 22 Variside. Wonderful boat, just know if you stick it, it’s not like you and one of your buddies can push it off a mud flat.

I wish I would’ve opted for the bigger console when I had mine. Not sure if that’s still an option.

 

Tabs

The trim tabs made it a lot smoother when running into the chop. Still a semi rough ride but helps a lot. Again, greatest boat I have ever owned. Only reason I wouldn't buy another one is because Susan Gilley sold the company......

 

I had a 25 Vari-side. Couldn't get really skinny, but a great boat.

 

Bubbletop, how did like your 25vs? What was the speed?